Summaries of EPA's Final Air Toxics MACT Rules

Dry CleanersFinal rule published September 22, 1993

Dry cleaning facilities are the largest source of perchloroethylene
(also called perc) emissions in the United States. Because dry
cleaners are located in many communities across the country, perc
emissions from dry cleaners are often released in close proximity
to large numbers of people.

Perc can cause dizziness, nausea, and headaches and is suspected
to cause cancer in humans.

EPA's rule requires all dry cleaners that use perc to implement
pollution prevention measures. It also contains specific control
requirements that vary depending on the type of machinery and
the amount of perc a facility uses.

The rule affects approximately 30,000 dry cleaners and will
reduce perc emissions at these facilities by about 7,300 tons
per year.

Coke Oven Batteries at Steel
Plants Final rule published October 27, 1993

Coke oven batteries (a group of ovens connected by common walls)
are used to convert coal into coke, which is then used in blast
furnaces to convert iron ore to iron.

Coke oven emissions contain benzene (a known carcinogen) and
other chemicals that can cause cancer of the respiratory tract,
kidney, and prostate. Exposure to coke oven emissions can also
cause conjunctivitis, severe dermatitis, and lesions of the respiratory
and digestive systems.

EPA's rule provides guidelines for day-to-day operations and
sets emissions limits for existing sources and even tighter limits
for new sources. The rule was developed through a formal regultory
negotiation process that involved extensive industry participation.
It provides industry with a menu of compliance options-this flexibility
should significantly reduce compliance costs.

The coke oven rule affects 29 existing facilities and reduces
air toxics by approximately 1,500 tons per year.

Organic Chemical Production
PlantsFinal rule published April 22, 1994; additional final rule published
May 12, 1998, for Tetrahydrobenzaldehyde Production

EPA's April 22, 1994 rule reduces emissions of 131 organic air
toxics from chemical manufacturing processes in the Synthetic
Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and from several other
chemical production processes. The rule applies to production
of about 385 chemicals.

Emissions averaging is allowed in the rule as a compliance
option to give industry flexibility in meeting the emissions reduction
limits.

The rule affects an estimated 310 facilities and will reduce
air toxics emissions by 510,000 tons per year, a 90 percent reduction
from the preregulated levels emitted by these facilities. The
rule will also reduce VOCs by about 1 million tons per year, an
80 percent reduction from the preregulated levels emitted by these
facilities, and equivalent to taking approximately 38 million
cars off the road.

The May 12, 1998 rule added tetrahydrobenzaldehyde (THBA) to
the list of Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
processes. THBA is used in the manufacture of paint additives.

Acrolein (a possible human carcinogen) and 1,3-butadiene (a
probable human carcinogen) are released during the THBA production
process.

Currently, only one facility in the nation manufactures THBA
and would have to comply with this rule.

Industrial process cooling towers are used to remove heat from
industrial processes. In the past, chromium was added to cooling
tower waters to prevent equipment corrosion and control algae
growth.

Chromium (Chromium VI, the most toxic form, is known to cause
lung cancer) is ultimately released from the cooling towers into
the air. Most individual industrial process cooling towers do
not qualify as major sources of air toxics; however, almost all
cooling towers are part of large production facilities (e.g.,
petroleum refineries, chemical manufacturing plants, and primary
metal producers) that do qualify.

EPA's rule prohibits the use of chromium-based water treatment
chemicals and suggests that facilities substitute phosphate-based
chemicals.

The rule affects an estimated 800 cooling towers at about 400
major sources nationwide and will reduce chromium emissions by
25 tons per year, a 100 percent reduction from the preregulated
levels emitted by these facilities.

Halogenated solvent cleaning machines (also known as degreasers)
are used to clean oil and residues in the manufacturing and assembly
of metal parts. Halogenated solvent cleaning is not a distinct
industry, but it is an integral part of many industries, such
as the aerospace and motor vehicle manufacturing industries. There
are three basic types of solvent cleaning equipment:

Batch vapor cleaners, which heat the solvent to create a
solvent vapor zone within which the parts are cleaned.

In-line cleaners, which are enclosed devices distinguished
by a conveyor system used to supply a continuous stream of
parts for cleaning. In-line cleaners include continuous web
cleaning machines, which can clean parts such as film, coils,
wire, and metal strips.

Batch cold cleaners, which use liquid solvent to remove
soils from part surfaces.

The rule applies to cleaning machines that use methylene chloride,
perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon
tetrachloride, chloroform, or any combination of these solvents
in a total concentration that is greater than 5 percent by weight.

EPA's rule combines equipment and work practice standards that
emphasize pollution prevention. As an alternative to complying
with the equipment standards option, facilities using batch vapor
or in-line cleaning machines may demonstrate that each solvent
cleaning machine emits less than an overall solvent emissions
limit.

The rule affects an estimated 9,000 facilities that use solvent
cleaning machines and will reduce air toxics emissions at these
facilities by 85,300 tons per year and VOC emissions by 81,700
tons per year.

Commercial Sterilization and
Fumigation OperationsFinal rule published December 6, 1994

A number of industries (including medical equipment suppliers;
pharmaceutical companies; cosmetics manufacturers; spice manufacturers;
libraries, museums, and archives; and contact sterilizers) use
ethylene oxide as a sterilant for heat- or moisture-sensitive
materials or as a fumigant to control microorganisms or insects.

Ethylene oxide (a probable human carcinogen that also can cause
adverse reproductive and developmental effects) is released during
these operations.

The gasoline distribution standard regulates bulk terminals
and pipeline breakout stations, which transfer and store gasoline
as it goes from petroleum refineries to service stations and gasoline
bulk plants.

Approximately 10 toxic air pollutants, including benzene and
toluene, are present in gasoline vapor. These pollutants are released
from gasoline distribution facilities during tank truck and rail
car loading operations, gasoline storage, and equipment leaks.

EPA's rule requires the use of pollution prevention methods
(such as improving seals on storage tanks and inspecting equipment
for leaks) and the use of controls (such as vapor processors to
collect and treat gas vapors displaced during cargo tank loading
operations).

The rule affects an estimated 240 gasoline bulk terminals and
20 pipeline breakout stations. It will reduce air toxics emissions
from these facilties by 2,300 tons per year and VOC emissions
by over 38,000 tons per year. In addition, the collection and/or
prevention of gasoline evaporation under the final rule is expected
to result in energy savings of an estimated 10 million gallons
of gasoline per year.

Magnetic Tape ManufacturingFinal rule published December 15, 1994

Magnetic tape manufacturers make products such as audio and
video cassettes and computer diskettes.

Toxic air pollutants are released when solvent mixtures are
used during coating and equipment cleaning operations. In addition,
particulate air toxics may be released when magnetic particles
are transferred to the coating mixture.

EPA's rule requires 95 percent control for most types of emission
points, including the coating operations. For some of these emission
points, EPA has developed alternative emissions standards, such
as one that allows facilities the flexibility to commit to more
stringent control of their coating operations in lieu of controlling
certain storage tanks.

The rule affects an estimated 14 of the 25 facilities that
manufacture magnetic tape. It will reduce emissions of air toxics,
most of which are VOCs, by 2,300 tons per year.

Chromium Electroplating and
Anodizing Operations
Final rule published January 25, 1995

Chromium electroplating and anodizing operations coat metal
parts and tools with a thin layer of chromium to protect them
from corrosion and wear. Examples of electroplated parts include
appliances, automotive parts, and large cylinders used in construction
equipment and printing presses. Anodized parts include miscellaneous
aircraft components such as wings and landing gears.

Hexavalent chromium (known to cause lung cancer) is released
during the electroplating and anodizing processes.

EPA's rule sets specific emissions limits for new and existing
chromium electroplating and anodizing operations that fall into
specific size categories. The rule requires facilities to meet
emissions limits through the use of pollution prevention practices
and controls.

Basic liquid epoxy resins are used in the production of glues,
adhesives, plastic parts, and surface coatings. Non-nylon polyamide
or wet strength resins are used to improve the strength of paper.

Epichlorohydrin (strongly suspected of causing cancer and known
to cause respiratory problems) is released during the resin manufacturing
process.

EPA's rule is based on an epichlorohydrin emissions limit, which
provides facilities with the flexibility to meet the regulation's
requirements with a variety of compliance options. The rule also
requires facilities to implement leak detection and repair programs.

The rule affects all three basic liquid epoxy resins manufacturing
facilities and all nine non-nylon polyamide manufacturing facilities.
It will reduce epichlorohydrin emissions by 110 tons per year.